Baird wrestles for championship

The climax to the 2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge arrives this weekend when Triple X Motorsport driver Craig Baird aims to secure the overall title at Taupo (19 – 21 March).

Leading since the six round season began in early November, Baird MNZM, in the ZM Mad Butcher Porsche 997 has a hefty 182 point lead, with the Placemakers Hampsta Porsche 997 of Daniel Gaunt third, 186 points behind.

While the six-car Auckland based team are aiming for three of their cars to again secure the top three podium positions, Melbourne’s David Reynolds in the Indian’s bar Hampsta Porsche 997 is still an outside shot.

However, Baird cautions nothing is ever certain no matter how small or large your points advantage.

“Finishing the first race is critical,” said the Queensland based Kiwi of the Mad Butcher 100 kilometre enduro to be held on Saturday afternoon. “That 150 points is your turning point for not just the weekend but the season. If you’re not in the points on that one you’re just making up the numbers for the rest of the weekend.”

“It relies on more than just the team giving you the best car and setup that as a driver I can go out and do my job. The pit-stop has become a bit controversial with a sliding-scale approach to how they should be done and that has impacted on what we do as drivers.”

“Being the final round there is so much at stake for us all – it’s too late for rules to be made or changed – we’ve got a job to do and a show to put on.”

Fresh from testing the Triple X Motorsport Porsche 997 at Sepang ahead of the opening round of the 2010 Carrera Cup Asia series, Baird’s clasp on this year’s podium could see him move past his current tally of 23 New Zealand championships. Team principal Shane McKillen also had a test of the Carrera Cup car around the Malaysian circuit, placing mid-field as he readies to drive his VnC Cocktails Juice bar Porsche 997 inside the top-ten for the season.

Another crisp from competition, 25-year-old Gaunt has just completed his third round in the 2010 V8 Supercar series. Returning to this weekend’s Porsche finale, Gaunt’s aim is to reverse the four point difference between him and second overall in the standings.

At 21 years of age, Auckland’s Courtney Letica’s championship chase plays second to his quest for outright placings aboard the Altherm Porsche 997. Having taken his first ever race win in the premier category at Timaru late January, Letica’s early season form has resulted in improved placings.

Joining the team to share technical expertise, Christchurch businessman Paul Kelly will also contest the final event for the season, having enjoyed running the Paul Kelly Motors Porsche 997 to its full potential.

While the drivers don’t get to test until 11:30am Friday morning, the team arrive early Thursday to setup for the finale. Following a second and 40 minute test session in the afternoon, drivers will take corporate guests for hot-lap rides late in the day around Taupo’s 3.5 kilometre circuit.

Evaluating car data and driver feedback, any car setup changes will be readied for a Saturday morning call to incorporate potential weather changes. Following the 11:25am qualifying session, fine-tuning for the 100 kilometre race gives the team until 5:20pm.

Sunday hosts a 10-lap race late in the morning, with the season ending 16-lap top-reverse-six grid race at 3:40pm.

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Directions to the circuit:

From SH1 Taupo roundabout (Tongariro St), turn on to Spa road and follow along Centennial Drive until the intersection with Broadlands Road. Turn left and entry to the Taupo Motorsport Park is one kilometre on the left.



2009/10 Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge points after round five (of six) – top nine.

Pos Name Hometown Total
1, Craig Baird, Triple X Motorsport, Queensland, 1172
2, Jonny Reid, Auckland, 990
3, Daniel Gaunt, Triple X Motorsport, Auckland, 986
4, Matt Halliday, USA, 977
5, David Reynolds, Triple X Motorsport, Melbourne, 914
6, Courtney Letica, Triple X Motorsport, Auckland, 662
7, Andrew Bagnall, Auckland, 642
8, Mitch Cunningham, Auckland, 627
9, Shane McKillen, Triple X Motorsport, Auckland, 620